Safer Excavations with Suction Technology
On water, gas, PFI street lighting, substations, trackside and specialist projects across the UK.
Instant operability and fast excavation without the risk of affecting or damaging any unforeseen utilities, helping to manage risk on site.
SEH took delivery of the first suction excavator in the UK back in 2006 and has steadily increased its fleet whilst remaining at the forefront of technology.
Our fleet supports a wide range of excavation requirements, allowing us to adapt to access, depth and safety constraints across different sites.
Suction excavation technology has been specifically designed for specialist construction activities in urban and suburban areas. It assures fast, precise excavation without the risk of affecting or damaging underground utilities.
Use of suction excavation also reduces environmental impact by avoiding potential damage to tree roots, as the suction excavator clears past these without causing damage.
What Is Suction Excavation and How Does It Work?
Suction excavation, often called vacuum excavation or vac ex, is a highly effective alternative to traditional excavation methods. It uses high-powered airflow to safely and precisely remove ground material, with excavation depth dependent on site conditions and equipment configuration. On site, you’ll often hear the machines called suckers or sucker trucks.
A small surface opening is created, which may vary depending on ground conditions. The suction excavator hose then removes below-surface materials, with compressed air used to loosen the ground and allow safe extraction.
No manual hand digging is required during the process, significantly reducing risk to operatives and underground utilities.
Benefits of Suction Excavation
Fast & Efficient Excavation
Cost-Effective Excavation
No Utility Shut-Offs
Approved for Specialist Use
Pipe and Cable Installation
Applications Of Suction Excavation
Gas Utilities
Water Utilities
Electrical Utilities
Neater finish and less of the highway is lost to excavation.
Power Stations
Substations
Environmental
The only approved method of excavation around protected trees.
Specialist Projects
Ideal for complex and non-standard excavation requirements.
City Centres
Extensions Available
FAQs
Suction Excavation: Your Questions Answered
How deep can a suction excavator dig?
It depends on the ground conditions and the machine being used. Suction excavation is most commonly used for trial holes, service exposure and excavations around buried utilities. If you need to go deeper, speak to us about your project and we’ll advise on the best approach.
Do I still need a CAT scan or utility survey?
Yes. Cable locators and utility surveys tell you roughly where services are, and suction excavation lets you expose and confirm them safely. The two work together and don’t replace each other.
Is suction excavation safer than hand digging?
In most cases, yes. It reduces the risk of striking live cables and pipes, and cuts down on the manual handling and repetitive strain that come with digging by hand. It’s widely recognised as a safe method for working around underground services.
Can it work in wet or waterlogged ground?
Yes. A suction excavator can remove wet soil, mud and standing water as it digs, so it often works well in conditions where hand digging would be slow and difficult.
What ground can’t it dig?
Solid rock, large boulders and unbroken concrete or tarmac can’t be removed by suction alone and will need breaking out first. Most other ground, including clay, sand, gravel and hardcore, can be excavated.
How long does it take to dig a trial hole?
It varies with the ground and the size of the hole, but suction excavation is usually much quicker than hand digging, especially in compacted or mixed ground.
Planning a hire? Read our guide to how much suction excavator hire costs.
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